Headlight.



v w A J 9% l I E. P. BONE.

HEADUGHT. 1,280,953. APPLICATION FlLED-0CT. 21. ISIG. Patented. 00t- 8,1918 2 SHEETSTFSHEET 1.

IN VEN TOR.

W) Y NESS- E, P. BONE. HEADLIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 27.19I6.

Patented-Oct. 8, 1918. 1

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 1N VEN TOR which shine toward a passing persons eyes zontal.

Parana enrich.

- EVAN P. BONE, 0F NEVI RICHMOND, GEE-G HEADLIGHT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 0011.8, 1918.

'Application filed October 27, 1916. Serial No. 128,126.

To all whom it may concern.

- :Bf it known that 1', Evan l. BONE, a citizen of the United States, residing at. New Richmond, in the county of Clerinont and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Headlights, of which. the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices in headlights, particularly in automobile hcadligl its, to preventthe rays of light from blinding the eyes of persons passing in the opposite direction.

The object of my invention, in particular, is to prevent all, or nearly all, rays of light emitted by the headlight, from shining toward a passing persons eyes, and at the same time. permitting the light, to near the full capacity of the lamp, to shine in a direction toward the road, suificiently far ahead for the best road illumination.

In the present practice, the rays of-light are projected from the headlight at an angl slightly upward from the horizontal. The rays Wlllcll give the best road illiunination,

' the ra of greatest upward angle are given the greatest downward refraction.

All of the figures are diagrammatic crossscctioiis in a longitudinal vertical plane lhrmzgh the headlight.

li'igurc 1, shows a headlight, with typical form of sheets and lenses, and some of the typical rays of light. Fig. 2, shows a few of the sheets and a part of the compound lens with different form of ridges on the lens. Fig. 3, shows a few of the sheets and a part of the lens, in the same iorm as Fig. l, but on an enlarged scale, showing, in detail, the manner in which'the rays are intercepted, reflected and retracted. Fig. l, shows a few sheets and a part of the lens, with ridges on both sides, and with the sheets at an inclined angle with the plane of the lens. This fi ure shows the manner in which the parallel rays are projected.

Referring to Fig. 1, the source of light is v represented by l, the reflector, usually parabolic, is represented by 2, the parallel,

or near parallel, sheets by 3, 3, 3, etc, and

the compound lens by ll, having the corn- 'are projected at an angle slightly downwarrh ponent refracting surfaces or ridges 5, 5, 5,

from the horizontal. The device described herein abruptly cuts oil the illmination on the horizontal plane, passing through the headlight, by eliminating practically all of the light projected upward from the horizontal, and at the same time permitting the projection of lightto near the full capacity of the lamp at an angle just below the hori- A plane at any other angle than the horizontal, can of course, he taken as the limit of brilliant illun'iination; out for simplicity in description, and in accordance with the present practice,.thc horizontal will be considered throughout this specification.

The means to accomplish the object, consists of a device composed of a series of approximately horizontal sheets of metal, or other suitable material, and a compound lens having a series of approximately norizontal ridges ,on its surface. The device is placed in thelfront part of, and in the projeoted beanfof, the headlight.

eThe sheets serve to intercept a large partof the raysof light projected at the upward angles. lhe ridges serve to retract downward those upward rays which are not intercepted by the sheets. The angles of the surfaces of the. ridges, in relation to the spaces between the sheets, are such that xetc. The courses of some of thetypical rays at light are shown by the broken lines as emitted by the source 1, radiating to the refiectorf2, thence between the sheets 3, 3, 3, and through the lens 1, where they are refracted to varying degrees, to the road ahead. The parts. to which my invention particularly relutes, are the sheets 3, 3, 3, and the sheetsxgoinbined with the lens l.

The sheets 3, 3, 3, are madeof sheet metal or other suitable material. They are preferably approximately parallel to each other, and in planes with their outer edges inclining at a downward angle to the axis of the parabolic reflector. The plane of the sheets may, however, deviate certain amounts to suit conditions. rays of light projected from different parts of the reflector, may vary from parallel and the planes of the sheets may vary to correspond. The sheets are preferably made in as true planes and as thin as practicable in order not to cut 0i? more light than necessary. But they may be given slightly curved surfaces or have wedge shapes, Where desirable for rctl cting' purposes.

The sheets 3, 3, 3, have preferably, mirror reflecting surfaces on their under faces and non-reflecting or absorbing surfaces on their upper laces. By experience it is The principal sometimes found preferable to give the upper faces a surface to reflect. and diffuse the light. The light reaching the eyes from this one proJected space between the sheets 3, 3.

. all be on one side 80 they may be on both sides as in Fig. 4; or.

' ture of the ridge is such that its the ridges,

The ridges may have a variety of forms. They may resemble (in vertical cross-section) a saw-tooth shape as in Figs. 1 and 3; they may have the shape of symmetrical arcs the most; and the rays with upward angles (those emitted lower in the space) refracted less. The result is, that the entire pencil of rays passing the space (between possible upward angle. of any ray passing through the spaces. This ray is refracted. by the lens 4, at. 2%. in a horizontal direction to 25. Ray 31, 12, 34. is refracted b of circles asin Figs. 2 and 4, the ridges may as in Figs. 1, 2. and 3';

they may have many other forms. The essential feature of the curvature is, that (in the vertical plane) the radius of curvaprincipal focus lies in the plane of the inner edges of the sheets, or, the practical equivalent of such. .In other Words, the focal lengths of considered as lenses, are ,practically equal to the widths of the sheets. Then, a pencil of rays passing any point in the plane 36, 37, Fig. 4:, and not intercepted by a sheet 3, results, after refraction, in a parallel beam. For example, rays passing ture of the focal lergths is applicable only to the lens in vertical plane, or in a plane at right angles to the plane in which the cut-off of brilliant illumination is made. plane or a plane at right angles to the plane in which the cutoff of brilliant illumination is made, the

radius of curvature is immaterial. The surr at the face, in this plane, may an infinite radius, or it may have a very large finite radius.

Fig. 3, shows, in detail, how the rays are intercepted, reflected and refracted. Referring to the figure, all rays of light entering .thesnaces between the sheets 3, 3, 3, at excessively upward angles, are intercepted by Forexamplc, the ray 11, 12, i intercepted by the sheet 3, at 13. Ray 61, 62, is interce ted at 63. The rays which pass through the spaces between the sheets greatest upward angles, are always emitted from near the top of the space. For example. ray 1). 24,1zas greater upward anglethat rays 12. I'll or 12. 44. Pay 69, 74. has a greater upward anglc'tl'lat. ray (3?, 84. Due to tho'anglcs ol' lls surface, the lens has greater refractive power at the top of the.

said space than at the. bottom. 'lhcreforo. the rays passing the shccls with the. greatest upward angle (lhosc emitted ncar thc top) are the ones that am retracted downward The feabe straight, having glass at an gives an abrupt'cutmlliof light of maxnmna the lens 4, at 34, in a horizontal direction to 35. Ray 41, 12. 44, passes through the lens at kl, where the faces are parallel and there isno refraction, and continues in a horizontal direction to 45. All rays passing through the sheets and the point 12. are projcctcd," after refraction, in a horizontal direction.

tal light of the sheets. or the entire face olglllc headlight. which results in light of great quantity. But there is no light which passes the angle above the horizontal. 'iln's om the entire space between all intensity. pro ected horizontally. to, light of zero intensity, at an angleslightly above horizontal.

\l'hile the light from thc lowcst point 1;. in the space, results in horizontal rays. light from other points at the entrance of the space. will result in parallel rays at a downward angle. (onsidering the light entering the spaces through a point- ('12. all rays which pass the sheets 3. 3. form. after rcfraction, a beam of parallel rays by the same explanation as Il10". Ray 71. 62. 7+. is refracted to 75, and ray 81. (3:2. 84. is collllnlggd to 85. resulting in parall rays 74. 75. and 84-, 95. As the point (52. is higher in the space than point 12, the beam of parallel rays resulting therefrom has a greater downward angle than from 12.

So far. only the rays which pass the sheets, have been considered. As the bottom of the faces 3, 3, areryn'eferably mirror surfaces, the rays of light striking these surfaces will be reflected at--a downward angle and pass through the glass to the road. For example, ray 11, 12. '13, is intercepted and reflected at 13, to the point 14, where it is refracted to 15. Ray (31. (353. 63. is reflected at 63 to 64. where it is refracted to (35. As the top surfaces of the sheet 2, 3. 3. are preferably non-mirror-reflecting, rays intcrccpted by them are not directly reflected. For example, ray 91, 62, 93, is inlcrccplcd at 93. It has been found. in PX- perimcnting, preferable to givethe top face ghere is a. projection of horizon- "fen 'o'l: iliu shoots a snrl'ecewliicll will not neceslsaril :il'ieorb the light bun which will dif- [projected in; differentthan those of files it. I in Fig. 23, us the ridges of the. lenslinve a saw-tooth cross-section, the optical axis, or the point where the two .fnces are parallel and the ray s not JQlEXJCii Il. 18 at the bot-- tom of tlle space. ln Figs. 2 and l, tlaeog tical axon-lire near ll-IE iniddle of-iihe space and i'he parallel, rays \V'lll accordingly be I In the dose-i the lieisidlighn, passes any 52, Fig, :5, and Lin-121s, 19 0'1 20, l, through a wide angle. 3' in pine i166- thy; is not nsunllyiilie base. Theungle of lhe pencil 0" 1" ys of light is limited to dil ferent (10nd 1S, :a's the size and position v v mi 5 g oftne HICiiIlLlQSCQDI lamp fnmnentfl, ctr,

" Fig el," shows .tl1e manner in wine}; thelie in (he the horizontal. (26). Suppose that the point 16 be moveddownward, which movement would tend to incline the parallel lmnn 26,,

ilie slieete 3, 3, 1.

of the ridges lie. in a of ligh'c re .g'i'ojeoted, with the ridgefl 5, 5, of the lens" 4, having their optical antes near the centerline of the spaces between fl ie principal focal ppmts plane 36', 37', which passes through the inner edges of the sheets 3, "Fne'pencils of rays are shown; .{z'Olli points, 16, 18,19 and 20. "lliese point-s aid plane and occupy dilfel'ent we p one in the g asses. The pencil ,ysifrom point 1 which is in. the lowtion, in :1 l)i*a2'11lii,0f m'nllei and horizontal $11 The @511211 of 1's from the poinfi 1'7, 'wl' "7' higher in the space, ressults, a-fl'er m, in almzun 27,075 parallel iays which ZUJ'E: ji'sfii zoniul 'Lil-L'e' 156, the pencils from l8, l9 and 20. result in parallel rays-98,29 and 30 respectively The higherihe point'is in the space. illegreater is the downward inclinatipn 1mm the horizontal. No rays can be roected at an an le inclined unwzird from p J D 1 upward. 'lfne pencil of rays would be in1- "-liMel} -intorce ded by the sheet pre- 2 ti 11g all li id from the point being paro- 'llv" "mint n s puailion just below a slice nw low rays 38, 20, and 39, Q0, am pmt d, by a sheet 3, from entering tlmspace just above.

In order to avoid confusion.

the rays intercepted by the lower faces of is the upper limit. Any other desis- .rectmn can, of course, be considei al Tm the sheets 3, are not. shown as reflected.

As stated before, the l'io'rizonfzil has been considered the direction of light. which file same purpose;

While the comb union of the sheets and ridged lens, as described herein, prevents 1mm? th ee rays of light, Y Y J it her; been assumed dial. the lightlrom the led downward f'i'om the hori-' ed d ientirely y n anupward direction,

the sfieets nlonemake certain approximations-toward that; end; They diminish materinlly'the' glarefin the eyes of a passing person. My imp 'ovement is, therefore, not

llmiled to the combination of the sheets and ens. 'l ig. '4, lshows the device, Without the ridges on the lens 4, nd in which the Sheets I 3, 3, alone are-used to prevent the light from" )QllllYG directions 1 projecting in an upward direction. Some ;o tlie'typicel rays areishowni which-display the manner in which no my can piss bet'ween 1 i-liGSllGGlBS 3, 3,- it sin-angle inclined above horizontal, or any other given plane.

j do not wish to confine my invention t of I the deteilso'f-tho device described herein, as' 1 other equivalent me ansmay serve gheeame purpose, ,v i i The term lens has been used through: out tnese' specifications for the refracting pound lens or ii collection'of independent lenses. i Ee'ch ridge on the glazes is al formofi jle'ns'i n iiself. 1 Y The term F'ndn-muror-reflectmg is used -"slieen2, ll1is is iniended to mean a surface which d es not necessarily absorb but which may difine the light. It does not refieoij as a. I v

mini-or or tl'nly plane surface. 7 by Letters- Ialtent, is

1. In headlight, the combination Wlllll a source of. llll, "of a compound lens disposed n front, oi end. source, the component parts niediiiml {This may be considered as a comfoni ghe preferred surface for the tops of the What I olnlm as new, and desire to s ecin'e of said lens ()OiIIDI'lSlDg a, series of subst-zmtially similar relmoting media, and means lens, and arranged wcQiSPorate with said refreshing media, so that raysof light may be projected from said lens within a predetermined angle.

source of light, 8m plurality of shets, said sheets being arranged in front of said source and disposed to intercept certain of the rays of light therefrom, and a Compound lens. disposed in front of said sheets, saidlens being provided "with a-series of substantially similar refracting surfaces between the prof jooi'ed planes of said sheets.

3. In a headlight, the combina-tionwith it source of light,o'f a plurality of sheets, said sl'ieei e being arranged in front of Said source and disposed to intercept certain of the rays of light therefrom, and a oomfiound lens disposed in front of said sheet s, said lens being pz'ovlded will! a series of substantially similar c-yl'zndrical refracting surfaces between [The pxoiected planes of said sheets.

' ed in front of said Son cs sheets being '1 inept comm: of the rays and disposed to i 2.4 111 a headlig lli the combination With located bet-Ween saidgonrce of light and said i -11 in, a 'hoadli lit, tlzo combination with d v source ofli ht, of aplurality of sheets, said of light therefrom, and a compound lens in source of light, of a plurality of sheets, said front of and adjacent to said sheets, with the 7 sheets being arranged in front of said source component parts of said lens disposed be-l and disposed to interce t certain rags tween the projected planes of said sheets, light therefrom, one sur aceof each of said 5 and said component parts having principal sheet-s being arranged to reflect the rays of focal points in the plane passing through light intercepted thereby, the'other surface 25 v the inner edges of said sheets. of each sheet being non-inirrorrefiect-ing to 5. In a headlight, the combination with light, and a compound lens disposed in front a source of light, of a plurality of sheets, of said sheets, said lens being provlded with 10 said sheets being arranged in front of said a series of substantially similar retracting source and disposed to intercept certain surfaces between the projected planes of said rays of light therefrom, one surface of each sheets. a

of said sheets being arranged to reflect the Signed at New Richmond, Ohio, October y rays of light intercepted thereby, and a com- 26th, 1916. I v 1 pound lens disposed in front ofsaid sheets, j

said lens being provided with a series of sub- I 2" v v stantially similar refracting surfaces be- -Witnesses: x tween the projected planes of said shee GEORGE MOALPIN, I 6. In a headlight, the combination with a v OTIQ RIDDLE. i j p van ni aoiiii. 

